NEWS & EVENTS - GENERAL
12 March 2007
Air Force revamps navigation technology
General
SA's Air Force is sinking money into its navigation infrastructure in support of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Chief of the Air Force Lt-Gen Carlo Gagiano was, on Friday, cagey about putting figures to the project, but the looming contracts are said...
12 March 2007
Cessna 150 for the SAAF Museum
General
In a constant endeavour to display a balanced history, which would represent the full facet of its rich aviation heritage, the SAAF Museum recently obtained a CESSNA 150 for static display purposes. Many would frown upon this latest arrival, it not b...
10 March 2007
Waterkloof air force base grounded
General
Waterkloof air force base - the country's most prominent air force base - is closing all flying operations for 18 months, said Chief of the SA Air Force (SAAF) Lieutenant-General Carlo Gagiano on Friday.Repairs and an upgrade of the base's ma...
9 March 2007
Update on major SAAF acquisition projects
General
The SAAF has released details of the program status for a number of aircraft acquisition projects.Gripen program updateThe Air Force is due to receive 26 Gripen Advanced Light Fighter Aircraft (ALFA) - the first of 9 dual-seater aircraft will be deli...
9 March 2007
State of the SAAF briefing
General
The Chief of the SA Air Force, Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano, hosted a Media Day at AFB Makhado to brief the press on the state of the airforce.While the current status of the various aircraft acquisition programs are dealt with in a separate News entry, here...
7 March 2007
Airforce mark bungle exposed
General
The following is a (very) rough extract from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:Low admission marks and certain student pilots who did not take science as subject to matric level may mean that students may be withdrawn from flying training.L...
6 March 2007
Mirage F1s return to Ysterplaat Museum
General
Steve McLean reports that Mirage F-1CZs 213 and 204 safely completed the journey from the former 35 Sqn enclosure at Cape Town International Airport to Ysterplaat today. Formerly on display at ThunderCity, the two aircraft, along with Buccaneer 416, ...
6 March 2007
Choppers head off to Mozambique
General
Three helicopters and an aeroplane were scheduled to take off from Pretoria's Waterkloof Air Force base this morning to start work in Mozambique following last month's flood and cyclone damage.Their operation is in response to a request from ...
5 March 2007
Six new choppers to be stationed at PE?s air base
General
THE SA Air Force‘s campaign to improve its image and extend its capabilities throughout the Eastern Cape has been given a boost with the announcement that six new Agusta A109LUH helicopters are soon to be based in Port Elizabeth."At the mo...
1 March 2007
After six years, pilots get increased allowance
General
The following is a (very) rough extract from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:After six years of negotiations, airforce pilots have reason to celebrate as they will receive an increased allowance from next month.Lt.Gen. Carlo Gagiano, chie...
26 February 2007
More on the 2007/2008 Defence Budget
General
In a special report on the South African 2007/08 Budget, Darren J writes on the more important aspects of the Defence budget for www.SAairforce.co.za:Budget week has come and gone, taking with it the usual rush of breathless and generally inaccurate ...
22 February 2007
Defence to gobble an extra R3,5bn
General
An extra R3,5bn over the next three years, mostly to pay for SA's order of eight new-generation Airbus strategic air transporters, the A400M, is the main reason behind the faster-than-planned rise in the defence budget. In the next fiscal year th...
15 February 2007
Trainee dies in SAAF 'gogga'
General
The following is a (very) rough extract from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:An air force candidate officer died and another broke her ankle this week during a tough initial training period known as the "gogga". The "gogga&...
2 February 2007
AFB Ysterplaat wins Prestige Unit of the Year 2006 award
General
SAAF Prestige Awards 2006The following awards have been awarded to bases, units and squadrons whom have performed exceptionally during 2006. The winner in each category was presented with their award during the Air Force Day Parade at Swartkop on 1 F...
2 February 2007
Answers for the Airforce
General
The following is a (very) rough extract from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:A series of cooperation agreements with foreign air forces, together with a new salary structure will hopefully bring new hope to stem the tide of resignations f...
1 February 2007
SAAF Celebrates Air Force Day
General
Today is Air Force Day, commemorating the establishment of the SAAF on 1 February 1920.The annual parade is held at the SAAF Memorial at Swartkop and Unofficial SAAF Website reporter Shaun Melass was there.Throughout the week the skies over Pretoria ...
1 February 2007
SAAF develops plan to keep aircrews
General
The South African Air Force (SAAF) is working on a new plan to entice its current aircrew members to remain in the force.The plan includes measures such as increasing the crew members' benefits.Chief of the South African Air force (SAAF) Lieutena...
15 January 2007
SANDF's 2007 intake answers the drum
General
The South African National Defence Force will start training 4518 recruits this month, spokesperson Sam Mkhwanazi says. They were "young, deserving, healthy and fit South Africans of all races". Mkhwanazi said 300 reported to the Naval Gymn...
10 January 2007
2007 Military Skills Development System intake
General
The rejuvenation of the South African Nation Defence Force got a shot in the arm this year when 4518 young deserving healthy and fit South Africans of all races, answered a call to make the Department of Defence their employer of choice. 3969 recruit...
4 January 2007
Update on Hercules upgrade
General
As mentioned in previous news reports, the SAAF is in the process of upgrading nine aircraft (seven SAAF C-130Bs purchased in 1963 and two ex-US Air Force C-130Bs received via the Excess Defence Articles programme) - the new designation being C130BZ....
3 January 2007
Contract awarded for the import of the Super Lynx
General
Armscor has announced that Armscor Business (Pty) Ltd, trading as AB Logistics, have been awarded a R169 458 088.83 contract for the shipment, custom clearance and payment of VAT for Super Lynx maritime helicopters, role equipment, spares and ground ...
3 January 2007
SA ties up missile deal with Brazil for Denel, Armscor
General
A government-to-government agreement between SA and Brazil has been signed for a joint venture between Armscor, Denel and the Brazilian air force for the development of missiles.The Brazilians have committed $52m to the project, which will be led by ...
19 December 2006
Hawk instructor wanted
General
Armscor has requested BAE Systems - Land Systems South Africa (Pty) Ltd (t/a Land Systems OMC) to tender for the provision of a Hawk certified flying training instructor in accordance with the approved Hawk Flying Training Specification.Closing date ...
13 December 2006
SA Air Force ineffective: DA
General
The SA Air Force (SAAF) can transport VIPs or be combat ready, not both, said the Democratic Alliance (DA) on Wednesday. "The few remaining resources that the SAAF has will either have to be used for transporting VIPs or maintaining combat readi...
7 December 2006
New SAAF pilots told to be proud, loyal
General
The Chief of the SAAF, Lieutenant-General Carlo Gagiano, acknowledged that the airlines paid their pilots more than the airforce, but requested that, should airforce pilots they decide to join the airlines, they remain loyal to the airforce and be le...
Air Force revamps navigation technology
General
SA's Air Force is sinking money into its navigation infrastructure in support of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Chief of the Air Force Lt-Gen Carlo Gagiano was, on Friday, cagey about putting figures to the project, but the looming contracts are said...
Cessna 150 for the SAAF Museum
General
In a constant endeavour to display a balanced history, which would represent the full facet of its rich aviation heritage, the SAAF Museum recently obtained a CESSNA 150 for static display purposes. Many would frown upon this latest arrival, it not b...
Waterkloof air force base grounded
General
Waterkloof air force base - the country's most prominent air force base - is closing all flying operations for 18 months, said Chief of the SA Air Force (SAAF) Lieutenant-General Carlo Gagiano on Friday.Repairs and an upgrade of the base's ma...
Update on major SAAF acquisition projects
General
The SAAF has released details of the program status for a number of aircraft acquisition projects.Gripen program updateThe Air Force is due to receive 26 Gripen Advanced Light Fighter Aircraft (ALFA) - the first of 9 dual-seater aircraft will be deli...
State of the SAAF briefing
General
The Chief of the SA Air Force, Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano, hosted a Media Day at AFB Makhado to brief the press on the state of the airforce.While the current status of the various aircraft acquisition programs are dealt with in a separate News entry, here...
Airforce mark bungle exposed
General
The following is a (very) rough extract from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:Low admission marks and certain student pilots who did not take science as subject to matric level may mean that students may be withdrawn from flying training.L...
Mirage F1s return to Ysterplaat Museum
General
Steve McLean reports that Mirage F-1CZs 213 and 204 safely completed the journey from the former 35 Sqn enclosure at Cape Town International Airport to Ysterplaat today. Formerly on display at ThunderCity, the two aircraft, along with Buccaneer 416, ...
Choppers head off to Mozambique
General
Three helicopters and an aeroplane were scheduled to take off from Pretoria's Waterkloof Air Force base this morning to start work in Mozambique following last month's flood and cyclone damage.Their operation is in response to a request from ...
Six new choppers to be stationed at PE?s air base
General
THE SA Air Force‘s campaign to improve its image and extend its capabilities throughout the Eastern Cape has been given a boost with the announcement that six new Agusta A109LUH helicopters are soon to be based in Port Elizabeth."At the mo...
After six years, pilots get increased allowance
General
The following is a (very) rough extract from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:After six years of negotiations, airforce pilots have reason to celebrate as they will receive an increased allowance from next month.Lt.Gen. Carlo Gagiano, chie...
More on the 2007/2008 Defence Budget
General
In a special report on the South African 2007/08 Budget, Darren J writes on the more important aspects of the Defence budget for www.SAairforce.co.za:Budget week has come and gone, taking with it the usual rush of breathless and generally inaccurate ...
Defence to gobble an extra R3,5bn
General
An extra R3,5bn over the next three years, mostly to pay for SA's order of eight new-generation Airbus strategic air transporters, the A400M, is the main reason behind the faster-than-planned rise in the defence budget. In the next fiscal year th...
Trainee dies in SAAF 'gogga'
General
The following is a (very) rough extract from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:An air force candidate officer died and another broke her ankle this week during a tough initial training period known as the "gogga". The "gogga&...
AFB Ysterplaat wins Prestige Unit of the Year 2006 award
General
SAAF Prestige Awards 2006The following awards have been awarded to bases, units and squadrons whom have performed exceptionally during 2006. The winner in each category was presented with their award during the Air Force Day Parade at Swartkop on 1 F...
Answers for the Airforce
General
The following is a (very) rough extract from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:A series of cooperation agreements with foreign air forces, together with a new salary structure will hopefully bring new hope to stem the tide of resignations f...
SAAF Celebrates Air Force Day
General
Today is Air Force Day, commemorating the establishment of the SAAF on 1 February 1920.The annual parade is held at the SAAF Memorial at Swartkop and Unofficial SAAF Website reporter Shaun Melass was there.Throughout the week the skies over Pretoria ...
SAAF develops plan to keep aircrews
General
The South African Air Force (SAAF) is working on a new plan to entice its current aircrew members to remain in the force.The plan includes measures such as increasing the crew members' benefits.Chief of the South African Air force (SAAF) Lieutena...
SANDF's 2007 intake answers the drum
General
The South African National Defence Force will start training 4518 recruits this month, spokesperson Sam Mkhwanazi says. They were "young, deserving, healthy and fit South Africans of all races". Mkhwanazi said 300 reported to the Naval Gymn...
2007 Military Skills Development System intake
General
The rejuvenation of the South African Nation Defence Force got a shot in the arm this year when 4518 young deserving healthy and fit South Africans of all races, answered a call to make the Department of Defence their employer of choice. 3969 recruit...
Update on Hercules upgrade
General
As mentioned in previous news reports, the SAAF is in the process of upgrading nine aircraft (seven SAAF C-130Bs purchased in 1963 and two ex-US Air Force C-130Bs received via the Excess Defence Articles programme) - the new designation being C130BZ....
Contract awarded for the import of the Super Lynx
General
Armscor has announced that Armscor Business (Pty) Ltd, trading as AB Logistics, have been awarded a R169 458 088.83 contract for the shipment, custom clearance and payment of VAT for Super Lynx maritime helicopters, role equipment, spares and ground ...
SA ties up missile deal with Brazil for Denel, Armscor
General
A government-to-government agreement between SA and Brazil has been signed for a joint venture between Armscor, Denel and the Brazilian air force for the development of missiles.The Brazilians have committed $52m to the project, which will be led by ...
Hawk instructor wanted
General
Armscor has requested BAE Systems - Land Systems South Africa (Pty) Ltd (t/a Land Systems OMC) to tender for the provision of a Hawk certified flying training instructor in accordance with the approved Hawk Flying Training Specification.Closing date ...
SA Air Force ineffective: DA
General
The SA Air Force (SAAF) can transport VIPs or be combat ready, not both, said the Democratic Alliance (DA) on Wednesday. "The few remaining resources that the SAAF has will either have to be used for transporting VIPs or maintaining combat readi...
New SAAF pilots told to be proud, loyal
General
The Chief of the SAAF, Lieutenant-General Carlo Gagiano, acknowledged that the airlines paid their pilots more than the airforce, but requested that, should airforce pilots they decide to join the airlines, they remain loyal to the airforce and be le...
